Networking 101- Understanding the Concept

Most people understand the benefits of networking as a way to expand and grow your circle of influence, especially those of us who own and run our own business. Meeting and interacting with other people is probably least expensive way to promote yourself as well as develop key contacts that can become valuable assets down the road.

Productive networking has to be about giving and receiving. If your sole purpose in networking is to "get what you can get" from everyone else, you will soon find people going out of their way to avoid you. You need to bring something to the table before you sit down to eat.

I have been at events where people have come right up to me, tell me what they do, and shove a card in my face. While that type of approach is an extreme, it does speak to a certain mindset, it's all about me. I have also gone to events and had great conversations with people and never even found out what they do. To network successfully you need to strike a balance somewhere in between these two examples.

First and foremost, you need to be able to listen. By showing you are genuinely interested in what someone else has to say, you engage them in the conversation. This also allows you to determine if this is someone you want to get to know better. Second, do not try to meet everyone in the room, rather focus on trying to meet two or three new people you never met before. A few solid contacts that you can follow up with is much better than a stack of cards of people you won't remember the next day. Finally, be yourself. Don't exaggerate or undersell any aspect of who you are and what you do. Let your true character make an impression on everyone you meet.

By following some basic rules, you can make networking one of the most productive activities for you and your business.